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THE LOYOLA MAROON VOLUME 66, NO. 19 LOYOLA UNIVERSITY. NEW ORLEANS. LOUISIANA 70118 MARCH 4, 1988 Swaggart's fall sustains TV evangelism turmoil By Andrea Leßoeuf Staff writer As Assemblies of God elders meet to determine the fate of television evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, campus and local observers question evangelism itself, speculating on Swaggart's possible psychological problems, his ministry's economic impact and the claim that the Republicans started it all. Swaggart, 52, stood before a congregation of 7,500 at his Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, La., on Feb. 21 and tearfully begged his family's and followers' forgiveness for sins he had committed against them. New Orleans evangelist Marvin Gorman allegedly presented Assemblies elders with photographs of Swaggart entering and leaving- an Airline Highway motel with an unidentified woman. Gorman was removed from the pulpit in July 1986 after admitting to "an immoral act with one woman," but he claimed Swaggart propagated rumors of his many adulterous affairs. An Orleans district judge last year threw out Gorman's $90-million suit against the Assemblies of God and Swaggart, who he said attempted to destroy his ministry. Swaggart was also involved in the revelation of evangelist Jim Bakker's 1980 affair with church secretary Jessica Hahn, which led Bakker to lose his 129-million-a-year PTL ministry. "I don't think people would hold this against Swaggart if he hadn't been so self-righteous himself," said Dr. Denis R. Janz, associate professor of religious studies. "I think the sadder thing with Swaggart is the harsh attitude he's had with others," agreed the Rev. John R. Payne, S.J., associate campus minister. But, according to religious studies faculty, the problem with television evangelism itself is rooted much deeper. "The people who follow Swaggart have a deep emotional need for a religious experience," said Dr. Robert K. Gnuse, associate professor of religious studies. "He's religious cocaine...whether or not he is legitimate is irrelevant." "The faith is in him and in his leadership," Janz said. "That's the way it ir with these charismatic leaders." Payne agreed, noting, "The people who depend on a minister's integrity are going to have a real stumbling block," he said. "The problem with television evangelism — as far-reaching as it is — is it often depends on a glitzy, media-producing show, and it doesn't produce a personal community," Payne explained. The day after Swaggart's confession, 21 Louisiana Assemblies elders met to make recommendations for a "sentence." Their recommendation included suspending Swaggart from preaching for .V Photo by Mary Degnan FLIPPING OUT—Chris Wichmann, business freshman, sails through the air Tuesday in the new Recreational Sports Complex natatorium. Panamanian students protest Noriega's tyranny By Chris Doyle and Chuck Lee Staff writers While the news stories from Panama may seem thousands of miles away to most U.S. citizens, for some local students, the events hit close to home — literally. Percy Nuflez, a Panamanian native in Loyola's Intensive English Program, recalledrecalled an encounter with a policeman in his home country. Nuflez said he was participating in an opposition protest in Chitr6, his home town, when the police arrived and surrounded the park where the protest was taking place. Nuflez was wearing a cap that identified him with the opposition movement, and as he was walking away from the protest, a policeman moved to cut him off. When the policeman came within a meter, Nuflez turned and ran. The policeman swung a rubber hose at Nuflez, but only grazed him. Nuflez was able to outrun the policeman because of the heavy gear the officer was wearing. In Panama, students have been marching in the £&eetsfCK{nonths in »; to the alleged atrocities of Gen. Antonio Mafluel Noriega. Noriega rose to power through the Panamanian National Guard while Panama was ruled by Gen. Omar Torrijos. When Torrijos died in a 1981 plane crash, Noriega seized control of the country after a two-year power struggle. The leader of Panama's Defense Forces has been accused of arranging Torrijos' plane crash and ordering the 1985 murder of Dr. Hugo Spadafora. Most recently, he was indicted in the United States on drug trafficking charges. "[The Defense Forces] are 'narco' drug traffickers in military uniforms," Julio Quijantij a - Panamanian D scuden t6tudyiog law at Tulane, said. Spadafora was the former Panamanian vice minister of health, who had left Panama.to work in other Latin American countries. Spadafora had announced his impending return to Panama to lead a movement against Noriega, but as soon as he crossed back into Panama, he was forcibly removed from his bus and subsequently murdered. Panamanian President Eric Delvalle called for Noriega's resignation last week in response to the increasing controversy, but Noriega instead ousted Delvalle from office last Friday. Noriega installed a new president, Mafluel Solis Palma, on Monday night before a cheering crowd of about 3,000 I NO MAROON The Maroon will not publish next week because of mid-term examinations. Publication will resume March 18. I PERSPECTIVES 1 ——■ See Swaggart/page 5 . See Panama/page 7, INSIDE Norbeit your man In '88? SEE LIFE AND TIMES PAGE 11

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THE LOYOLA MAROON VOLUME 66, NO. 19 LOYOLA UNIVERSITY. NEW ORLEANS. LOUISIANA 70118 MARCH 4, 1988 Swaggart's fall sustains TV evangelism turmoil By Andrea Leßoeuf Staff writer As Assemblies of God elders meet to determine the fate of television evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, campus and local observers question evangelism itself, speculating on Swaggart's possible psychological problems, his ministry's economic impact and the claim that the Republicans started it all. Swaggart, 52, stood before a congregation of 7,500 at his Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, La., on Feb. 21 and tearfully begged his family's and followers' forgiveness for sins he had committed against them. New Orleans evangelist Marvin Gorman allegedly presented Assemblies elders with photographs of Swaggart entering and leaving- an Airline Highway motel with an unidentified woman. Gorman was removed from the pulpit in July 1986 after admitting to "an immoral act with one woman," but he claimed Swaggart propagated rumors of his many adulterous affairs. An Orleans district judge last year threw out Gorman's $90-million suit against the Assemblies of God and Swaggart, who he said attempted to destroy his ministry. Swaggart was also involved in the revelation of evangelist Jim Bakker's 1980 affair with church secretary Jessica Hahn, which led Bakker to lose his 129-million-a-year PTL ministry. "I don't think people would hold this against Swaggart if he hadn't been so self-righteous himself," said Dr. Denis R. Janz, associate professor of religious studies. "I think the sadder thing with Swaggart is the harsh attitude he's had with others," agreed the Rev. John R. Payne, S.J., associate campus minister. But, according to religious studies faculty, the problem with television evangelism itself is rooted much deeper. "The people who follow Swaggart have a deep emotional need for a religious experience," said Dr. Robert K. Gnuse, associate professor of religious studies. "He's religious cocaine...whether or not he is legitimate is irrelevant." "The faith is in him and in his leadership," Janz said. "That's the way it ir with these charismatic leaders." Payne agreed, noting, "The people who depend on a minister's integrity are going to have a real stumbling block," he said. "The problem with television evangelism — as far-reaching as it is — is it often depends on a glitzy, media-producing show, and it doesn't produce a personal community," Payne explained. The day after Swaggart's confession, 21 Louisiana Assemblies elders met to make recommendations for a "sentence." Their recommendation included suspending Swaggart from preaching for .V Photo by Mary Degnan FLIPPING OUT—Chris Wichmann, business freshman, sails through the air Tuesday in the new Recreational Sports Complex natatorium. Panamanian students protest Noriega's tyranny By Chris Doyle and Chuck Lee Staff writers While the news stories from Panama may seem thousands of miles away to most U.S. citizens, for some local students, the events hit close to home — literally. Percy Nuflez, a Panamanian native in Loyola's Intensive English Program, recalledrecalled an encounter with a policeman in his home country. Nuflez said he was participating in an opposition protest in Chitr6, his home town, when the police arrived and surrounded the park where the protest was taking place. Nuflez was wearing a cap that identified him with the opposition movement, and as he was walking away from the protest, a policeman moved to cut him off. When the policeman came within a meter, Nuflez turned and ran. The policeman swung a rubber hose at Nuflez, but only grazed him. Nuflez was able to outrun the policeman because of the heavy gear the officer was wearing. In Panama, students have been marching in the £&eetsfCK{nonths in »; to the alleged atrocities of Gen. Antonio Mafluel Noriega. Noriega rose to power through the Panamanian National Guard while Panama was ruled by Gen. Omar Torrijos. When Torrijos died in a 1981 plane crash, Noriega seized control of the country after a two-year power struggle. The leader of Panama's Defense Forces has been accused of arranging Torrijos' plane crash and ordering the 1985 murder of Dr. Hugo Spadafora. Most recently, he was indicted in the United States on drug trafficking charges. "[The Defense Forces] are 'narco' drug traffickers in military uniforms," Julio Quijantij a - Panamanian D scuden t6tudyiog law at Tulane, said. Spadafora was the former Panamanian vice minister of health, who had left Panama.to work in other Latin American countries. Spadafora had announced his impending return to Panama to lead a movement against Noriega, but as soon as he crossed back into Panama, he was forcibly removed from his bus and subsequently murdered. Panamanian President Eric Delvalle called for Noriega's resignation last week in response to the increasing controversy, but Noriega instead ousted Delvalle from office last Friday. Noriega installed a new president, Mafluel Solis Palma, on Monday night before a cheering crowd of about 3,000 I NO MAROON The Maroon will not publish next week because of mid-term examinations. Publication will resume March 18. I PERSPECTIVES 1 ——■ See Swaggart/page 5 . See Panama/page 7, INSIDE Norbeit your man In '88? SEE LIFE AND TIMES PAGE 11